Court Marriage in Nepal
FinLex Associates
Complete Guide For Marriage by Registration
The court marriage in Nepal, also called marriage by registration, is governed by the Chapter on Marriage of the Civil Code 2017 (2074). This process allows both Nepalese citizens and foreigners to legally marry in Nepal, whether they are residing in Nepal or abroad.
Procedure for Marriage Registration in Nepal
1. Marriage by Registration through District Court (Court Marriage)
This is the most common method for legal marriage registration in Nepal, especially for couples who have not performed religious or social ceremonies.
2. Registration of Marriage at the Local Level
Couples who have already performed social or religious marriage rituals can register their marriage at the ward office of their permanent address.
3. Marriage by Registration through Embassy or Consulate Office
Couples residing abroad or wishing to marry through a Nepalese embassy or consulate can register their marriage under this process.
Eligibility and Minimum Age for Marriage in Nepal
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Both parties must agree to accept each other as husband and wife.
- They must not be close relatives to avoid incest.
- Both must be single at the time of application.
- Both individuals must be at least 20 years old.
Requirements for Foreign Citizens for Court Marriage in Nepal
Documents Needed for Foreign Nationals
- A No-Objection Letter from the respective Embassy or Consulate in Nepal.
- Translated Notarized Copy of the Family Law (Marriage Law) of the foreign country in Nepali.
- A minimum of 15 Days Proof of Residence in Nepal from the concerned local level ward office.
- Copy of Passport with Visa.
Marriage by Registration through Embassy or Consulate Office
According to Section 76 (2) of the Muluki Civil Code, 2074, couples residing abroad can apply for marriage registration to the Embassy of Nepal or the Consulate General.
Required Documents for Court Marriage in Nepal
For Nepalese Citizens
- Citizenship Certificate
- Single Status Certificate from the local ward office
For Foreign Nationals
- Valid Passport
- No-Objection Letter
- Proof of Residence
Summary of Required Documents
| SN | Documents | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Citizenship / Passport | Nepalese citizens can conclude court marriage through their citizenship or passport. Foreign citizens must provide a valid passport. A notarized copy must be submitted with the application. |
| 2. | Single Status Certificate | Nepalese citizens should obtain this certificate from their local ward office. Foreign nationals should get it from their country's government office, along with a No-Objection letter. |
| 3. | Two Witnesses | Two witnesses of legal age must be present at the court for marriage registration. Relatives are preferred as witnesses. |
| 4. | 4 Photos Each | 4 passport-sized photos of each person with a white background. |
| 5. | Recommendation of Temporary Residence | Foreigners and Nepalese citizens applying outside their permanent district must provide proof of residence for at least 15 days from the concerned local level ward office. |
| 6. | Application for Marriage by Registration | A completed application form, along with a fee of NPR 500, should be submitted to the district court. |
Once the application is submitted and all criteria are fulfilled, the district judge will verify the authenticity of the documents and conclude the marriage. The court will issue the marriage certificate. The process generally takes 2 working days.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. FinLex Associates holds exclusive rights to this content.
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FAQ
Court marriage, also known as marriage by registration, is governed by the Marriage Chapter of the Civil Code 2017 (2074). It allows both Nepalese citizens and foreign nationals to legally marry in Nepal.
Both parties must agree to accept each other as husband and wife, must not be relatives (to avoid incest), and must both be single at the time of the application. Additionally, both individuals must be at least 20 years old.
The marriage can be registered through:
- The district court for couples in Nepal.
- Local ward offices for couples who have already married through social or religious rituals.
- Nepali embassies or consulates for couples residing abroad.
Foreign citizens must submit an application that includes:
- A No-Objection Letter from their respective embassy or consulate.
- A translated and notarized copy of their country's marriage law in Nepali.
- Proof of residence in Nepal for at least 15 days from the local ward office.
- A valid passport with visa.
The following documents are needed:
- Citizenship/Passport: Notarized copy for Nepalese citizens and valid passport for foreigners.
- Single Status Certificate: Issued by the relevant authorities for both Nepalese and foreign citizens.
- Witnesses: Two legal age witnesses must be present during registration.
- Passport-sized Photos: Four recent photos of each party against a white background.
- Temporary Residence Certificate: Required for those applying outside their permanent district.
- Marriage Application Form: A completed application form along with a fee of NPR 500.
The court marriage process generally takes about 2 working days from the time the application is submitted and verified by the district judge.
Yes, couples who have already married through social or religious rituals can register their marriage at their local ward office.
Yes, both parties must be at least 20 years old at the time of the marriage application.
Once the application is submitted, the district judge verifies the authenticity of the documents. Upon successful verification, the marriage is concluded, and a marriage certificate is issued.
